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Horses & Burros

Horses and burros are strong and resilient.

For centuries, they powered our economies, carrying us and our burdens, pulling wagons and plows. Today, they need our help. Irresponsible breeding leads to homeless horses and burros—animals often auctioned off for slaughter. Poor management of horses in the wild has left thousands in holding pens. And some trainers “sore” the legs and hooves of Tennessee walking horses so the animals move with a high-stepping gait born of pain.

Kathy Milani

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The HSUS

Horses and burros built this country. They deserve the care of loving owners and freedom on the range.

Domesticated for millennia, horses still have the brains and bodies of prey animals—the instinct to bolt at the hint of danger at a speed (up to 40 miles per hour) that can carry them to safety. Burros are nearly as fast, but use their intelligence to assess threats before fleeing.

Did you know?

Horses in the wild in the U.S. are all mustangs, descended from horses the Spanish brought to the New World. They live in harems, with a single male or stallion and many females and foals.

The Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act would amend the Horse Protection Act to end the failed system of industry self-policing, strengthen penalties and make other reforms necessary to finally end this torture. Urge your U.S. Representative to pass the PAST Act.

All Animals magazine

The Humane Society of the United States is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions to the HSUS are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. The HSUS's tax identification number is 53-0225390.